Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~039768
1 TRACTOR FRONT-END WEIGHT ASSEMBLY
The present invention relates to a front-end weight assembly
for an agricultural tractor, and more particularly relates to a
weight-hitch connection. ~-
Plate-shaped ballast weights are known which include the
weight-hitch connection as shown in the U.S. patent 3,635,493
granted to Hubert Barth et al on January 18, 1972.
The prior art systems have horizontally running recesses for
insertion of implement coupling hitch rings and since this allows
considerable horizontal play it is difficult to bring the hitch
rings directly under specific desired vertical openings proximate
the recess for insertion of hitch pins. Further, due to the
large amount of horizontal play, the operator who guides the
hitch ring into place may be injured if the hitch ring slips to
the side where he is standing while the vehicle is being backed
up to hitch up the implement.
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Summary of the Invention
It is a general object o~ the present invention to provide
a guide for the hitching recess on a tractor's weights so that
20 operator injuries during the coupling procedure are prevented. ;~
This is done by the addition of deflectors to the weights to
limit horizontal play of the hitch ring.
The above and additional ob~ects and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from a consideration of the following detailed description
of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the weights mounted on a
tractor;~
Fig. 2 is a section along line 2--2 of Fig. 1 showing a
section of the base weight and a side view of a weight;
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~039768
1 Fig. 3 is a section taken along line 3--3 of Fig. 2 includ-
ing the deflector of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3 of an alternate embodi-
ment of the present invention; and
Fig. 5 is a section taken along the line 5--5 of Fig. 4
showing a cross section of the alternate embodiment.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
.
Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown the front end of a
tractor 11 having attached to its front end an elongate base
weight 10 extending the whole transverse width of the tractor
frame. Flat plate-shaped weights, designated at 14, are detach-
ably mounted on the support 10.
Referring to Fig. 2, there is shown a clevis 13 cast in the
base weight 10 to serve as the primary implement hitch connec-
tion upon insertion of a hitch pin (not shown) through a bore 12
and a centering pin 16 which is inserted in the bore 12 to pre-
vent transverse movement of the weights 14. The pin 16 has a
centrally located hole perpendicular to its longitudinal axis
which contains a split pin 17 which holds the centering pin 16
from falling through the bore 12. Along the entire width of the
upper part of the base weight 10 there is an upturned lip 18 and
on the bottom part there is a bearing surface 19 also over the
entire width.
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In the rearward edge of each weight 14 there is a U-shaped
rece4s 20 which is hook-shaped in the upper portion 21 to hang
over the upturned lip 18 of the base weight 10 and the bearing
surface 19 of the base weight 10 abuts the inner surface 22 of
the U-shaped recess 20. The weights 14 are clamped together
transversely by a pair of clamping screws 24. -
In the forward edge of each weight 14 is another U-shaped
recess 26 which in cooperation with other weights 14 form a
hitching clevis. As best shown in Fig. 1, the wei~hts 14 each ~
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1039768
1 have semi-cylindrical grooves 27 on either side near the recess
26 which form cylindrical vertical openings 32 in cooperation
with adjacent weights 14. Each vertical opening 32 extends across
the recess 26 and is open at the top and closed at the bottom be-
low the recess 26.
During coupling, the hitch ring 29 as shown in Fig. 3 of an ~ ~ -
implement (not shown) will be inserted into the recess 26 such
that the vertical center axis of the hitch ring 29 will coincide
with the vertical center axis of the vertical opening 32. A
hitch pin 28 is then inserted into the vertical opening 32 and
through the hitch ring 29 to connect the implement to the
weights 14.
Referring further to Fig. 3, there are shown weights 15 dif-
fering from the weights 14 in having integral deflectors 30 which
are located in the recesses 26. The two weights 15 with the -
integral deflectors 30 are separated in such a manner that there
are at least two non-deflector weights 14 in between so that the
space between the deflectors 30 is adequate to take up the hitch
ring 29.
Each deflector 30 is disposed parallel to the center axis of
the vertical opening 32 and is of wedge shape, tapering to the
front. Two outwardly inclined deflector surfaces 30a and b on
the two deflectors 30 cooperate to provide a guide for the hitch
ring 29. The front tip 50 of each of the deflectors 30 is round-
ed off and extends laterally in line with the center axis of the
vertical opening 32. Two deflector surfaces 30a and b are pro-
vided on each deflector 30 so that the two deflector incorpor-
ated weights 15 will be interchangeable.
i~ Through the use of the deflectors 30 the coupling maneuver is
significantly simplified since a guide is provided which makes the
hitch ring 29 self-centering in relation to the vertical opening
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1(1139768
1 32 into which the hitch pin 28 will be inserted. With the deflec-
tors 30 in place, sideward slipping of the hitch ring 29 is not
possible and therefore possibilities of injuries to the operator
from this source are minimized.
In an alternate embodiment in Fig. 4, there are shown deflec-
tors 31 which are insertable in the vertical openings 32 to both
sides of the vertical opening 32 for the hitch pin 28. The de-
flectors 31 have cylindrical portions 36 at the top and bottom of -~
a deflector 1ange 34. The cylindrical portions 36 are inserted
into the vertical openings 32 such that there is one vertical
opening 32 between them for insertion of the hitch pin 28. The
deflector flange 34 has a deflector surface 35 disposed parallel
to the center axis of the vertical opening 32 into which the
hitch pin 28 is inserted and on the back is a supporting brace 38
with supporting areas 42 and 44. These supporting areas 42 and
44 abut the back of the recess 26 when the hitch ring 29 is in-
serted. The deflector 31 may be inserted between two weights 14
at any desired vertical opening 32 and forms together with the
complementary deflector 31 a guide which limits the sideward
movement of the hitch ring 29 in the recess 26.
Again through the use of deflectors 31 the coupling maneuver
will be significantly simplified since the deflector surfaces 35
make the hitch ring 29 self-centering in relation to the hitch
pin vertical opening 32. And again, sideward slipping through
the hitching recesses 26 of the weight~ 14 is impossible, and
therefore injuries to the operator will be prevented.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with
specific embodiments, it is to be understood that many alterna-
tives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those
skilled in the art in light of the aforegoing descriptions. Ac-
cordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modi-
fications, and variations which fall within the spirit and scope
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of the appended claims. ~
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